The federal government said temporary foreign workers can continue to play a role in addressing labour shortages in rural communities, including the Peace River region.
The Peace River Regional District board received correspondence from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Lena Metlege Diab at its Sept. 10 meeting in response to an earlier request regarding the federal Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
The federal government announced targeted, time-limited measures in March to help eligible rural employers address workforce shortages.
Under the measures, provinces and territories can ask Ottawa to allow eligible rural employers to retain their existing low-wage temporary foreign workers and temporarily raise the allowable share of those workers from 10 per cent to 15 per cent.
B.C. opted into the measure allowing eligible rural employers to retain existing low-wage temporary foreign workers above the standard 10 per cent cap but declined to participate in the increase to 15 per cent.
Diab said the program remains an important tool for employers when qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents are not available.
She also acknowledged that some rural communities continue to deal with ongoing labour shortages that can affect local economies and community growth.
“To help address these workforce needs, Employment and Social Development Canada introduced targeted, time-limited measures on March 13, 2026, to support eligible employers in attracting and retaining workers outside census metropolitan areas,” she explained.
The measures are in place from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027, although participation varies by province or territory. In British Columbia, eligible rural employers can retain their existing proportion of low-wage temporary foreign workers above the standard cap. (Canada)
Employers must still meet the program’s requirements, including demonstrating that they have made efforts to recruit Canadian citizens and permanent residents first. (Canada)
Diab said Ottawa is also taking steps through immigration programs to address longer-term labour needs in critical sectors such as health care.
She pointed to the Peace Liard region’s participation in the Rural Community Immigration Pilot, which is designed to help communities attract and retain newcomers as permanent residents to address local labour needs.
She said the federal government is also working with provincial partners on temporary and permanent immigration programs.
“I have taken the liberty of copying my colleague, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families within Employment and Social Development Canada and the Honourable David Eby, Premier of British Columbia, on this response,” Diab added.
“I will continue to work in close collaboration with Minister Hajdu and Premier Eby on supporting temporary and permanent programs to help fill labour market needs and foster strong, resilient and prosperous communities across Canada, including in the Peace River region,” Diab stated.
The federal government has also announced a separate initiative aimed at transitioning up to 33,000 workers already in Canada to permanent residence in 2026 and 2027, with a focus on rural and remote communities experiencing labour shortages. (Canada)
